Bond wipes out: Pierce Brosnan comes a cropper in the Maui surf

Friday 13 June 2008 13:47 BST

It shouldn't happen to an 007.

Former action star Pierce Brosnan famously did many of his own stunts in the Ian Fleming series.

But maybe Brosnan - who played 007 in four of the action series' films before turning over his role to Craig for 2006's Casino Royale - needed a stunt man as he came a cropper while paddling to shore on his surf board.

Quite why he was using a paddle is unknown, but the sporty star was knocked around in the surf by a rogue wave on the island of Maui.

Brosnan is in Maui ahead of the film festival where he will be honoured for his acting work and his long-standing efforts to campaign for the environment.

Meanwhile, Brosnan is preparing for his musical debut in film Mamma Mia! He plays Sam Carmichael in the film, one of three men rumoured to be the father of lead character Amanda Seyfried, alongside Meryl Streep who plays her mother.

The Irish actor revealed he almost rejected the role because he feared looking silly in front of James Bond replacement Daniel Craig.

Recovery position: Brosnan looks shaken but not stirred as he emerges from the surf

Recovery position: Brosnan looks shaken but not stirred as he emerges from the surf

He admitted he was scared his all-singing and dancing role as Sam Carmichael in the 1970s ABBA-inspired film would be too far a departure from his days as the British spy.

He said: "I drew the drapes in my dressing room, looked in the mirror, and there was 007 - only he was getting ready to expose himself to possible ridicule by starring in a movie musical called Mamma Mia!

"One of my daydreams was that I'd be strutting across the parking lot in sequinned tights and a cape, and I would bump into Mr. Daniel Craig, looking very Bond-like. It never happened, I'm pleased to say.'